Folding stool.



W. J. THEFELD.

FOLDING STOOL, urmonl'on PILEDJOV. 2a, 1909.

Patented -0ct.:-11, 1910.

WILLIAM J. THEFELD, OF KANSAS CITY, KANSAS.

FOLDING STOOL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 29, 1909.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM J. TI-IEFELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of VVyandotte and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Stools, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in stools, and my principal object is to provide a simple, substantial stool particularly adapted for the use of motor-men. Vith this end in view I support the seat of the stool upon resilient means whereby concussions incident to a car running upon a track are largely absorbed, and whereby said seat may be inclined to suit the convenience and comfort of the user. I also construct the stool in such manner that it may be readily folded into compact form, so that it will occupy but little space when not in use.

In order that the invention may be fully understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front elevation of the stool. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the stool. Fig. 3 is a vertical central section of the stool folded. Fig. lis an inverted detached view of the stool-seat and a pair of metal fittings secured thereto. Fig. 5 is a broken detail section on line V--V of Fig. 1, of one of the supporting legs of the stool and a brace for holding the same in operative position.

In carrying out the invention I employ a pair of front supporting legs 1, and a pair of rear supporting legs 1 constructed preferably of angle-iron to obtain the requisite strength and lightness. Said legs are permanently connected in individual pairs by transverse braces 2 and 2 respectively, riveted thereto, and said individual pairs are adjustably-connected by two pairs of crossbraces 3, so that the stool may be folded to the position shown in Fig. 3, when not in use. Braces 3 are pivotally connected at their lower ends by pins 4 to the legs, and pivotally connected at their intersecting points by pins 5, so that they may be folded against each other. The upper terminals of the crossbraces 3 terminate in hooks 6, adapted to extend through slots 7 in the legs and engage the lower edges of said slots, as shown in Fig. 5.

8 designates the stool-seat, provided at its underside with a pair of straps 9, rigidly secured thereto and provided at their terminals with downwardly-extending arms 10 and bosses 11, the latter being at the front ends of the straps, while the former depend from the rear ends thereof, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2. Arms 10 are pivotally secured by pins 12 to the upper ends of the rear pair of permanently-connected legs l so that the stool-seat may be inclined to suit the convenience of the user, or folded to the position shown in Fig. 3. The front end of the stool-seat is yieldingly-supported by a pair of coil-springs 13 the upper ends of which loosely embrace the bosses 11, while the lower ends are permanently secured to a pair of supporting-members let riveted to the front pair of legs 1.

The stool is locked in the operative position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 by the cross braces 3, which reliably engage the lower edges of slot-s t. and the seat is held down in position with bosses ll resting in the upper ends of springs 13 by its own weight and the weight of the user. To fold the stool it. is only necessary to disengage the hook terminals (3 from the edges of slots 7, lift bosses 11 out of engagement with springs 13, and fold the legs 1 and 1 together, as shown in Fig. 3.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

A stool comprising, in combination, a plurality of legs, means for permitting said legs to be folded together, a seat pivotally secured to the legs formed in one side of the stool, and adapted to lie against the inner sides of the legs forming the other side of the stool when the latter is folded, spring members supported by the legs forming the opposite side of the stool, brackets located below the tops of the legs forming the opposite side of the stool and carrying said springs, and bosses secured to said seat in position to engage the free ends of said spring members when the legs are in unfolded position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM J. THEFELD.

Vitnesses F. G. Fisonnn, M. Cox. 

